NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
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CUP: NASCAR Dumps Top 35 Rule
A new qualifying rule for 2013 places greater emphasis on speed...
Mike Hembree  |  Posted October 16, 2012   Daytona Beach, FL
Beginning in 2013, the fastest 36 cars in NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying will make the race based on speed. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
NASCAR on Tuesday announced significant changes in 2013 competition rules, including a major modification for qualifying procedures.

The biggest change involves the so-called “top 35” rule, which, since 2005, has guaranteed the top 35 Sprint Cup team owner spots in starting fields.

That approach will change for 2013, with NASCAR moving to a “36-6-1” format and putting more emphasis on speed in qualifying sessions.

The fastest 36 cars will make each field on speed. The next six spots will go to the highest ranking cars in owners points. The final spot will go to the most recent eligible past champion driver or to a seventh car in owner points if there is no eligible past champion driver.

“Times change, and we have to change with those,” said NASCAR vice president Robin Pemberton. “To go back and make the field the fastest 36 to get in the race and six provisionals and the championship spot, we feel that’s good.”

The switch is essentially a return to the format that was in use before the top 35 rule was put in place.

In another change, the qualifying order for time-trial sessions will be determined by a random drawing, eliminating the practice of setting the order by practice speeds.

Also, provisional positions in all three major NASCAR series will be based upon the previous year’s owner points for the first three races of the following season, as opposed to the current policy of five races.

NASCAR also confirmed that Sprint Cup teams will be allowed up to four tests per organization (not per car) at tracks at which the series competes. Individual team testing generally has been prohibited at competition tracks since 2009. Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series teams will be allowed two tests at competition tracks. Rookie drivers will be allowed one additional test.

NASCAR also said it will open track activity early for extended practice time at two additional events per series. Those dates have not been determined.

“We hope that these competition changes will enhance our three national series and bring back some excitement to the fan and some opportunities for the teams to strengthen their performance through testing throughout the season,” Pemberton said.

Pemberton said officials examined how the changes would have impacted fields if they have been in place in previous seasons. “The changes are very, very minimal as far as who makes or does not make a field,” he said.

He said the changes are not likely to seriously impact so-called “start and park” teams that typically run only a few laps before pulling into the garage.

“That fluctuates throughout the season with sponsorships and opportunities,” he said. “I don’t think it’s ever been eliminated, and I don’t think it will ever be eliminated as we know it today. But if we can do things to put some incentive out there to race, I think people will race longer.”

The qualifying changes will have their first impact on the season-opening Daytona 500. A portion of the 500 field is set through the results of the Gatorade Duel, a pair of 150-mile qualifying races. Pemberton said the duel results, qualifying speeds and provisionals will be used to determine the 500 lineup, but added that the details of the 500 procedures haven’t been finalized.

NASCAR also announced that it is trimming the maximum size of the starting field in the Nationwide Series from 43 to 40. Sprint Cup will stay at 43 and the Truck Series at 36.

Pemberton said work continues on development of the 2013 car models. “We’re working on a combination of aero and mechanical grip, trying to get that balanced out,” he said.

Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.
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